Device for applying caps to bottles



' 1,640,332 Aug. 23,1927. A ci SPAHN DEVICE FOR APPLYING CAPS T0 BOTTLES Filed Sept. 20, 1924 Patented Aug. 23, 1927.

entren STATES 1,640,332 PATE-NT OFFICE.

AUGUST C; SPAHN, 0F' EVANS-VILLE, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR T0 BERNARDIN BOTTLE CAP COMPANY, OE EVANSVILLE-, INDIANA, A CORPORATION OF INDIANA.

DIEI'VICE'r EOR- APPLYING CAPS T0 BOTTLES.

Application filed- September 20, 1924. Serial No. 738,753.

The invention relates to devices for applying caps to bottles.

rEhe object ofthe invention is to provide a device which is simple in construction,y efl'icient in operation and which is provided with means for centralizing the cap and bottle between an annular series of cap-bending members so as to insure the proper disposition -of the bottle toeect uniform indenting of all portions of the lower margin of the skirt of the cap. @ther objects will appear from the detailed description of the invention.

The invention consistsin the several novel features hereinafter set forth and more particularly dei-ined by the claims at the conclusion hereof.

1n the drawing: Fig. 1 is a vertical section of a device embodying the invention. 2 is an inverted plan. Fig. 3 is a- Section taken on line 3 3 of Fig. 17 all but two! of the cap bending members being shown in elevation. 4 is a detail perspective of one of' the cap bending membersrlhe invention is exemplified in a device comprising a head or holder 6 which may be suitably supported in any manner well understood in the art. A cylindrical chamber 7 is formed in the lower portion of this head and a series of cap-bending members 8 are pivotally mounted in the head. Each of these cap-bending members is preferably formed of flat metal. A pivot-stud 9 is inserted through and pressed tightly into a hole in each of said members to pivotally cennect the member to the head. To permit the insertion and removal of these members, the head is provided with a removable section or ring 10. The faces of the head and ring have faces which abut against each other and are positioned substantially in the plane of the aires of the studs 9. Studs 9 are pivoted in an annular groove 9a which is formed in the abutting faces of the head and ring. The body of head 6 is vertically slottef", as at 11, and the ring 10 is correspondingly slotted at 12 to form vertically extending slots, in which the members 8 are conlined. Screws 13 extend through the ring 10 and into the body of head 6 between the pivot-studs 9 to removably sec-ure the ring to the head. A plunger 14 is slidably mounted in a cylindrical guideway 15 in head 6 and the lower face 16 of the plunger is adapted to be engaged by the closure-cap 17 on the bottley 18 to force the cap into firm contact with the mouth of thebottle and to operate the bending members.

TheV device is. adapted to be operated by relative movement between the bottle and the head'T which may be imparted to the bottle or to. the head inany suitable manner, as well understood in. the art. An annular shoulder 19 on the upper end of plunger 14v is adapt-ed to engage a shoulder 2O in the head to limit the downward movement of the plunger in the head. A spring 2l is applied to yield'ingly and forcibly hold the plunger in its lowermost position. Said springr is coniined. in a cylindrical pocket 22 in the upper portion of the plunger and in. a cap 23, which isV removably .secured to the head by a screw-thread 24- This construe'- tion readily permits springs of different tensions to be substituted for one another ac "f1 cording to the requirements ofthe work to be performed by the deviceY Each cap-engaging member comprises an integral arm 25,. extending inwardly and upwardly therefrom, having a rounded terj v inal extending into an annular groove 261 in the plunger, an inwardlyv ext-ending finger 27 at its lower end adapted, when swung inwardly, to engage the lower margin of the skirt of cap 17 to bend it inwardly under the rib 18:l on the bottle neck. Between arm 25 and finger 27, the inner edge of each member 8 is formed with a curved guiding portion 28, which is struck on a curve substantially concentric with the axis of pivotstud 9. These curved portions are adapted to guide the bottle to centrally position it under the plunger and are adapted to hold the bottle and cap so positioned during the operation of the cap-bending members, .so that all of the fingers 27 will bend inwardly a substantially uniform distance to the lower margin of' the skirt of the cap and thus insure an effective lock between the cap and the bottle. This guiding feature of the lingers is particularly advantageous in connection with applying closure caps of the type exhibited in an application filed b me Juno 14, 1924, Serial No. 719,960. ach member 8 is provided with an edge or abutment 30, which is adapted to engage the inner periphery -of ring 10 to limit the pivotal movement of the members in one direction.

In operation, relative movement of a bot- Cal tle with the cap placed thereon and the head 6 will cause the plunger to uniformly swing all of the members 8 so that the fingers 27 will bend or crimp the lower margin of the skirt of the cap under the rib 18a on the bottle. During this operation, the cap and bottle will be retained in their centralized position in the head by the curved guidesurfaces 28.

The invention exemplifies a device for applying closure caps to bottles, which is simle in construction and el'licient in operation.

y providing` the members 8 with curved guiding surfaces 28, the bottle and cap will be properly positioned relatively to the head by forming the members 8 of fiat metal and pressing studs into them; also a. construction is provided which makes it possible to use stamped metal members, and which is adapted to use a circular groove in which the pivot-studs will be held so as to permit free movement of the members.

The invention is not to be understood as restricted to the details set forth, since these may be modified within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Let ters Patent, is:

l. In a device for applying closure caps to bottles, the combination of a head provided with a chamber therein, a series of cap bending members pivoted in the head and provided with arms and bending fingers, and a plunger movable in the head and adapted to be engaged by the bottle cap and to which the arms are operatively connected,

arms and the lingers and are vdisposed beneath the plunger.

2. In a device for applying closure caps to bottles, the combination of a head provided with a chamber therein, a series of cap bending members pivoted in the head and provided with arms and bending iingers, and a plunger movable in thehead and adapted to be engaged by the bottle cap and to which the arms are operatively connected, said members being provided at'their inn-er margins with guide surfaces for the bottle and cap which extend between the arms and the fingers and are disposed beneath said plunger, the guide surface on each member being curved on an arc which is'eubstanltoially concentric with the axis of the mem- 3. In a device for applying closure caps to bottles, the combination of a headl provided with a chamber therein, a ring removably secured to said head, said head and ring having longitudinally extending slots and an annular groove formed therein adjacent their abutting aces, cap bending members fitting in and guided by said slots, said members being formed of substantially flat metal and provided with arms and bending fingers, relatively short pivot studs for the members disposed in said groove, and a plunger movable in the head and operatively connected to said arms.

Signed at Evansville, Indiana, this 17th day of September, 1924.

AUGUST C. SPAHN. 

